Asm. Steve Bennett

This measure would designate the portion of Interstate Highway 405 from Bolsa Chica Road in the County of Orange to Magnolia Street in the County of Orange as the Little Saigon Freeway. The measure also would request the Department of Transportation to determine the cost of appropriate signs showing that special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources sufficient to cover the cost, to erect those signs.

Existing law, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, requires all groundwater basins designated as high- or medium-priority basins by the Department of Water Resources to be managed under a groundwater sustainability plan or coordinated groundwater sustainability plans, except as specified. Existing law authorizes any local agency or combination of local agencies overlying a groundwater basin to decide to become a groundwater sustainability agency for that basin and imposes specified duties upon that agency or combination of agencies, as provided. Existing law requires the State Water Resources Control Board to adopt a model water well, cathodic protection well, and monitoring well drilling and abandonment ordinance implementing certain standards for water well construction, maintenance, and abandonment and requires each county, city, or water agency, where appropriate, to adopt a water well, cathodic protection well, and monitoring well drilling and abandonment ordinance that meets or exceeds certain standards. Under existing law, if a county, city, or water agency, where appropriate, fails to adopt an ordinance establishing water well, cathodic protection well, and monitoring well drilling and abandonment standards, the model ordinance adopted by the state board is required to take effect, and is required to be enforced by the county or city and have the same force and effect as if adopted as a county or city ordinance. This bill would require a local enforcement agency, as defined, to perform specified activities at least 30 days before determining whether to approve a permit for a new large-diameter, high-capacity well, as defined. By imposing additional requirements on a local enforcement agency, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would require, upon adoption or amendment of a groundwater sustainability plan, the groundwater sustainability agency to provide specified information to the local enforcement agency, including, but not limited to, the name of the applicable groundwater sustainability agency, the agency manager and contact information, and the applicable sustainable management criteria related to groundwater levels, including the groundwater level measurable objectives and minimum thresholds. The bill would require a local enforcement agency, before approving a permit for a large-diameter, high capacity well, to provide specified information to the applicant. The bill would prescribe certain standards a local enforcement agency would be required to follow in the approval or denial of the permit, including the location of the proposed large-diameter, high capacity well and specified geological and water supply considerations. The bill would provide exemptions for its provisions for specified water wells. The bill would provide that its provisions apply only to applications for permits for the construction, maintenance, abandonment, or destruction of water wells in basins identified in the Department of Water Resources Bulletin 118. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the week of September 22 to September 29, 2024, as Frontotemporal Degeneration Awareness Week. It directly affects the state by officially recognizing this specific time period to highlight awareness for the condition. The primary mechanism is a formal proclamation that establishes these dates for public and governmental acknowledgment. This measure does not create new laws or funding but serves to bring attention to the disease during a designated week.

The California Constitution declares various inalienable rights of the people, including the right to enjoy and defend life and liberty, acquire, possess, and protect property, and pursue and obtain safety, happiness, and privacy. This measure would amend the California Constitution to declare that the people have a right to clean air and water and a healthy environment considering the general well-being and other needs of the people. The measure would specify that the principles inherent in these rights shall serve as a guide to all branches of government in the performance of their official duties and that these rights shall inure to all people in equal measure and shall not be construed or applied in a manner inconsistent with duly enacted laws of the state or other rights set forth in the California Constitution.

This measure would resolve that the Legislature recognizes Girl Scouts of the United States of America on their 112th anniversary and its 107th anniversary of their beloved cookies.

This measure would proclaim April 28, 2024, as a day for all Californians to acknowledge the contributions of disabled individuals, to honor the changes achieved in the past to establish the rights of disabled individuals, and to recognize the work remaining in the future to secure equity for disabled individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates May 1, 2024, as "Move Your Body, Calm Your Mind Day" to raise awareness about the health benefits of physical activity. The measure directly affects the general public by encouraging participation in exercise and promoting the connection between physical movement and mental well-being. It serves as a commemorative resolution rather than creating new laws or regulations, aiming to educate Californians on the importance of an active lifestyle. The text highlights statistics regarding chronic health conditions and suggests that regular activity can help prevent disease and improve mental health.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the week of May 5 through May 11, 2024, as Compost Awareness Week in California. The measure serves as a commemorative resolution to highlight the benefits of composting, such as waste reduction and soil improvement, without creating new laws or regulations. It does not impose any requirements on individuals or organizations but aims to raise public awareness about the practice.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially recognizes the third week of May 2024 as Peer Appreciation Week in California. It aims to increase public awareness of peer support specialists, who are trained individuals using their own lived experiences to help others with mental health, addiction, or trauma challenges. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves to honor the role these specialists play in the state's health and human services system.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates May 2024 as Mental Health Awareness Month in California to promote public understanding of mental well-being. It does not create new laws, funding, or programs but serves as an official state recognition of the importance of mental health. The resolution highlights statistics on youth mental health challenges and the need for awareness to reduce stigma. Its primary effect is symbolic, aiming to encourage the public and organizations to focus on mental health issues during the month of May.